FORT LEE, Va. -- The positions future warrant officers will hold and the career development opportunities that will get them there were among the topics of discussion at a pair of officer professional development sessions at the Army Logistics University here Dec. 11.
The featured speaker was Chief Warrant Officer 5 David Williams, Army Staff Senior Warrant Officer from the Office of the Army Chief of Staff. This was his second visit to the Home of Sustainment since being appointed to the position.
"It's very important to have Chief Williams here talking to the warrant officers of the command because of his experience working directly for the Army's Chief Of Staff," said Chief Warrant Officer 5 Randy Johnson, CASCOM command chief warrant officer. "He is able to share (Gen. Ray Odierno's) vision for the warrant officer corps, and it is very important that today's warrant officers understand that the Army is an ever-changing environment."
Some of the topics Williams addressed included near-future changes to the warrant officer corps that are being driven by recent updates of Department of the Army Pamphlet 600-3 -- commissioned officer professional development and career management. Primary military education courses for warrants have transitioned in response to the revisions, he said. Williams also explained the many career broadening opportunities available to warrants, which is one of the Chief of Staff of the Army's initiatives.
William's had one of the attendees, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Marion Mellette, share with the group his career-broadening experience. Mellette attended the Strategic Studies Fellowship at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill over the past summer. The course is a broadening leadership experience dedicated to enhancing critical and strategic thinking skills. It is designed to increase the knowledge base for U.S. military officers, noncommissioned Officers, federal government personnel and private sector employees.
Mellette stated that the course was a great experience and that he has been using the knowledge he learned on a daily basis. He encouraged his fellow warrants to seek out such opportunities to not only better themselves, but also the corps.
Williams expanded on Mellette's discussion to express that the intent of attending a strategic broadening seminar is to allow an officer to network with peers and step outside the tactical and operational mindset. This, in turn, will prepare them to be more agile leaders who can better operate at the strategic level.
As he closed out the session, Williams offered up a final piece of advice.
"Always accept the most challenging jobs and assignments that are available to you," he said. "And lastly, always do your best in every job you are assigned because they all count."
Williams is the first to be assigned as the Army Staff Senior Warrant Officer. The new position provides the Chief of Staff of the Army a subject matter expert on all aspects of warrant officer training and development. The ARSTAF SWO will communicate with commanders and warrant officers throughout the Army to ensure their concerns and recommendations are considered in decisions that will impact the future of the warrant officer corps.
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